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Awapuni, Gisborne

Awapuni
Suburb
Map
Coordinates: 38°40′03″S 178°00′01″E / 38.6676°S 178.0003°E / -38.6676; 178.0003
CountryNew Zealand
CityGisborne
Local authorityGisborne District Council
Electoral wardTairāwhiti General Ward
Area
[1]
 • Land869 ha (2,147 acres)
Population
 (June 2024)[2]
 • Total
1,090
AirportsGisborne Airport
Makaraka Elgin Gisborne Central
Awapuni
 Victoria
(Poverty Bay)

Awapuni is a suburb of the New Zealand city of Gisborne, located in the southwest of the city.[3] It is named after the Awapuni lagoon, where the Waipaoa River runs into the ocean.[4] The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "blocked-up river" for Awapuni.[5]

The local Awapuni Pā, also known as Te Kuri a Tuatai, is a tribal meeting place of the Rongowhakaata hapū of Ruapani, Ngāi Tāwhiri and Te Whānau a Iwi.[6] It includes the Whareroa meeting house.[7]

Demographics

[edit]

The statistical area of Makaraka-Awapuni, which also includes Makaraka, covers 8.69 km2 (3.36 sq mi)[1] and had an estimated population of 1,090 as of June 2024,[2] with a population density of 126 people per km2.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006864—    
2013828−0.61%
2018975+3.32%
20231,077+2.01%
The 2006 population is for a smaller area of 8.18 km2.
Source: [8][9]

Makaraka-Awapuni had a population of 1,077 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 102 people (10.5%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 249 people (30.1%) since the 2013 census. There were 579 males, 495 females, and 6 people of other genders in 372 dwellings.[10] 2.8% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 40.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 192 people (17.8%) aged under 15 years, 192 (17.8%) aged 15 to 29, 489 (45.4%) aged 30 to 64, and 204 (18.9%) aged 65 or older.[8]

People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 67.4% European (Pākehā); 47.4% Māori; 7.0% Pasifika; 4.5% Asian; 0.8% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.2% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 96.4%, Māori by 11.1%, Samoan by 2.2%, and other languages by 7.5%. No language could be spoken by 1.7% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 12.8, compared with 28.8% nationally.[8]

Religious affiliations were 30.4% Christian, 0.8% Hindu, 2.8% Māori religious beliefs, 0.6% Buddhist, 0.6% New Age, and 2.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.2%, and 7.8% of people did not answer the census question.[8]

Of those at least 15 years old, 150 (16.9%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 486 (54.9%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 246 (27.8%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $39,400, compared with $41,500 nationally. 45 people (5.1%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was 438 (49.5%) full-time, 135 (15.3%) part-time, and 27 (3.1%) unemployed.[8]

Parks

[edit]
"Midway Beach" redirects here. For the community in the US state of Iowa, see Midway Beach, Iowa.

Awapuni has three sports grounds: Awapuni Stadium, the Oval Reserve cricket and rugby ground, and Watson Park.[11]

Midway Beach includes a beach, barbecue area, horse riding area, jet skiing area, kite surfing area, dog walking area, and the Kopututea Sand Dunes.[11]

Adventure Playground includes a picnic area and public toilets.[11]

Education

[edit]

Awapuni School is a Year 1–6 co-educational state primary school[12][13] with a roll of 282 as of July 2025.[14][15] It opened in 1927.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Stats NZ Geographic Data Service". Statistical Area 2 2023 (generalised). Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Aotearoa Data Explorer". Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Hariss, Gavin. "Awapuni, Gisborne". topomap.co.nz. NZ Topo Map.
  4. ^ Grant-Taylor, Thomas Ludovic (1966). "Waipaoa River". teara.govt.nz. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  5. ^ "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Māori Maps". maorimaps.com. Te Potiki National Trust.
  7. ^ "Te Kāhui Māngai directory". tkm.govt.nz. Te Puni Kōkiri.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Totals by topic for individuals, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Makaraka-Awapuni (205601). Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Makaraka-Awapuni (205600). 2018 Census place summary: Makaraka-Awapuni
  10. ^ "Totals by topic for dwellings, (RC, TALB, UR, SA3, SA2, Ward, Health), 2013, 2018, and 2023 Censuses". Stats NZ – Tatauranga Aotearoa – Aotearoa Data Explorer. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Gisborne Parks and Reserves". gdc.govt.nz. Gisborne District Council.
  12. ^ "Awapuni School Official School Website". awapuni.school.nz.
  13. ^ "Awapuni School Education Review Office Report". ero.govt.nz. Education Review Office.
  14. ^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Awapuni School Ministry of Education School Profile". educationcounts.govt.nz. Ministry of Education.
  16. ^ "1927-1977 Awapuni School 50th jubilee : souvenir album". 1977.